The Romanian-based cozenages sought to rake off one thousands of American consumers and 100s of fiscal institutions, according to bills of indictment unsealed in Los Angeles, California, and New Haven, Conn.

More than one-half the people charged are Romanian, although the alleged cozenage also operated from the United States, Canada, Portuguese Republic and Pakistan. The lawsuits were linked by two Romanians who participated in both schemes, government said. advertisement